Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 167819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 839(@200wpm)___ 671(@250wpm)___ 559(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 839(@200wpm)___ 671(@250wpm)___ 559(@300wpm)
“I can—”
I hang up on them and pocket my cell, pulling the top sheet only up to her neck. Knowing she’s burning up but also not wanting her naked if someone is here. Walking over to the tall dresser, I yank open the top drawer and grab my gun, tucking it into the back of my jeans, making sure my T-shirt covers it. I turn on the fan on my way out of the room and shut the door behind me.
Making my way to the front doors, I come to a stop when they open, and three men enter the house like they fucking own it. Three men that I didn’t give this address to, but somehow know exactly where I am. Which means they know where Elli is. “Brothers.” I nod to them as they all stand in the grand foyer, dressed in black, covered in ink, looking like they want to cut my head off.
“We’ve come to deliver a package,” one says, stepping to the side. Another grabs the man who was hidden behind him and shoves the guy forward. “You’ve got one week to deliver, Easton.” He calls me by my first name, and I step closer to them, wanting to protect Elli who is down the hallway behind me. I don’t want them anywhere near her. “Or we come and collect.” His blue eyes look around, taking everything in before they meet mine again. “And we’d hate to have to destroy everything to get what is owed to us.”
ELLINGTON
I ROLL ONTO my side. My hands grab at my stomach, and I groan. I feel nauseated. My body is shivering. Everything hurts. It’s hard to breathe.
“You’re okay, Elli.” I hear Sin’s voice, but I don’t see him. My eyes are tightly shut. I’m probably imagining it.
“What’s wrong with her?” I hear a voice ask off in the distance.
“She’s fine.” Sin’s voice is much louder, he’s closer to me. I feel his hands grab at my shoulders, avoiding answering the question. “Go wait for me in the other room.”
I reach out and grab a hold of a pillow. I pull it over my face, the light too bright it’s hurting my eyes even though they are closed. I feel like I’m spinning, my body jerking involuntary.
“I will not—”
I sit up, abandoning the pillow as saliva fills my mouth. “I’m … going to be sick,” I manage to mumble to no one in particular.
My hair is grabbed, and something is placed on my lap. I throw up, my stomach muscles tightening, the acid burning my throat. So much to the point I’m dry heaving. Tears sting my eyes, making what little vision I have blurry.
“You’re okay.” Sin rubs my back. “You’re going to be okay.”
I fall down onto my back and roll over into a ball, shivering.
“What the fuck is wrong with her?” that far off voice demands.
I hear Sin sigh. “She’s having withdrawals.”
“She’s an addict?”
“No … yes. She was drugged. Needed Narcan. I think it’s thrown her into withdrawals.”
“Christ.”
I feel the bile rising again, and I can’t hold it down. Hands grab me and lift me up into the air, I bury my face into the hard chest and wrap my shaking arms around his neck.
“Make yourself useful and remove the sheets. There’s a clean pair folded on the dryer,” Sin calls out before I hear a door slam shut and then he’s placing me on a cold floor just as I get sick again.
_______________
I OPEN MY eyes and don’t feel like I’m dying, so that’s a plus. Not my normal self, but better than I remember.
Rolling over, the curtains allow a soft glow into the dark room, and I see Sin is lying next to me, eyes closed and lips slightly parted. He’s sleeping. I’m so confused where he came from. How I got home. And why he’s still here. Shouldn’t he be with Amelia? And where did Chance go? Did I imagine him being here in this room with Tyson and the doctor? No, it was real. Chance reminded me exactly what my life will be like once he marries me—hell.
Sitting up, I look over at the nightstand to see an empty bottle of water. My mouth is so dry, I need something to drink. Getting to my feet, I wobble a little before getting my balance under control. I open the bedroom door and make my way down the hallway, using my hand on the wall. There’s a throbbing sensation right behind my eyes and I feel nauseous.
Entering the kitchen, I open the fridge and grab a water. When I shut it, I see a figure standing over in the corner and I scream, my heart racing and causing me to sway on my feet.
“Elli?” I hear Sin call out before rushing into the kitchen. He flips on the light, and I turn to face him to see he’s wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs and holding a gun in his right hand. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his hard chest heaving at his heavy breathing. His eyes dropping to my bare legs, making sure I’m physically okay as they quickly run up over the T-shirt of his I’m dressed in.